About: British techie moved to Texas in 2013. Now a full time, freelance artist. Interested in articulation and assemblies. Fan of support-free models. John Joseph Merlin is my hero.
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“Schrodinky: The British Shorthair in a Box 3D Printable Multi Part Model” is a larger scale, more detailed and complex version of my original 3D printable "cat in a box" models:

Since there have been boxes, cats have sat in them often with little regard to whether they can fit or not. It certainly proved to be a popular subject for a model. This larger version is also a functioning money bank (I like my models to have some kind of use, particularly when they use a lot of filament). The coin slot is at the back of the collar and there is a threaded hole at the cat body base and a threaded stopper included. "There is money in the kitty" and that joke will never get old.

Ever.

I have also designed this model to function as a money bank and look pleasing without the box part, so if your printer cannot manage the box or you would simply prefer a kitty sitting alone, then I have considered you. This is a pay-for model and there are two packages available:

Single extrusion package (contains files which can be used on most FDM printers) Single colour cat model (head and body) Eye models(eye and pupil to be printed separately) 3 collars with the following pattern choices: plain, hearts and moon and stars Coin slot for collar 4 medal designs to go with the collars: round “paw print”, round plain, crescent moon and hearts Box model 3 box tape models with a paw print design Stopper, threads and threaded body

Multi extrusion package (contains files which can be used on FDM printers capable dual/multi extrusion) Bicolour cat model (head and body) Wizard variant cat model (head and body) Eye models (eye and pupil can be printed as a multi extrusion model) 3 collars as above but with the choice to print the collar, patterns and stitching in different colours 3 medal designs (“paw print”, crescent moon and stars and heart) but multi extrusion variants Box model as a multi extrusion model with tape featuring the paw print design Stopper, threads and threaded body

Supplies:

Step 1: Important Information

Please take the time to read this section as it does contain important information regarding component size and printer requirements.

Schrodinky is a multi part model which means it has to be assembled after printing. I have made two versions: one for multi colour capable 3D printers (also known as multi extrusion or dual extrusion) and one for people with printers that can print with one material at a time (single extrusion and these are the most common type). However, because I have sectioned Schrodinky up in an artistic (and practical!) way, you will still be able to achieve something of a multi colour effect, even if your printer can only print in a single colour.

The other advantage of a multipart model is that you are less restricted by your printer build area. Fully assembled, Schrodinky sitting in the box is about 26cm, which if this were a one piece model, would put it out of the printing capabilities of many people. However, as you print in parts the largest dimension components are:

1) The box: (length 165mm, width: 156mm, height: 60mm)

2) The cat body: (length: 109mm, width: 138mm, height: 160mm)

If your printer can accommodate these dimensions then you are good to go. Of course, you can scale down and the awesome Hawk 3D Proto have tested this for me at 50% - a kitten

Step 2: Printing Instructions

I am going to include some rough guidelines for printing but it is assumed you know your printer better than I do (particularly when it comes to multi extrusion), so advice will be fairly simple. It is also assumed that you will have your filaments correctly dialed in.

The setting recommendations are just that and you are not obliged to follow them.

Step 3: Model Assembly: Eyes

(If you are using the single extrusion eye models, you will need to snap the pupil into the eye. It should fit snugly, but if not, use a little glue).

Fit the eyes into the head.

Each eye has a pentagon backing which fits into a corresponding socket in the head. To further ensure correct orientation, there is a dot at the top which indicates direction.

Step 4: Model Assembly: Whiskers

A cat is not a cat without a fine set of whiskers. Many people had wanted to add whiskers to my original Schrodinky models so for this version, I looked to find a solution using materials that were inexpensive, easy to find and effective. After a bit of thinking and testing, I decided upon 12lb fishing line which scales in perfectly. Get the cheapest you can find it will work just as well as more expensive brands.

Unfortunately, though I am very happy with the final results, I would be lying if I said this isn't a tedious job but I think it's worth the effort.

If you print the cat larger or smaller you may need to use a different diameter of line.

You will need:

1 x 3D printed cat head with fitted eyes

12lb clear fishing line

Quick and clear drying glue which can bond the materials you are using

Small scissors capable of cutting fishing line (I used nail scissors)

A sewing needle (in case some of the whisker holes are not completely open)

Cut a piece of fishing longer than the desired whisker length.

Feed the line through a whisker hole in the front of model's face and tie a knot at the end inside

Snip any excess line after the knot and then pull the line through from the front of the cat's head until it is stopped by the knot.

Repeat until you have completed all the whiskers on one side.

Pull all the whiskers taunt from the front of the model's face with one hand and apply glue to the knots in the inside. Leave to dry.

Repeat with other side

Once the whiskers are secure and dry, you can trim them.

If you are not sure how to do this, then look at pictures of cats (the internet has plenty). Cat whiskers are never uniform in length and are often shorter nearer the mouth and the top of the whisker pads.

I recommend using a small pair of scissors because it will be much easier to trim individual whiskers.

Step 5: Model Assembly: Collars

The collars are very easy to assemble. You will need

1 x printed collar

1 x printed coin slot

1 x medal

A small piece of wire

Glue coin slot into place as shown

Use small piece of wire to make a loop and secure the medal.

Step 6: Model Assembly: Stopper and Threads

You will need the following:

1 x printed stopper

1 x printed threaded body

1 x printed set of threads

1 x printed cat body

It is recommended that you ensure that the threaded body and the threads work easily together. If they don’t then you may need to check how your filament is dialed in or sand to enable smoothness.

Glue the stopper and threads together

Glue the threaded body into the cat

Step 7: Model Assembly: Box

No assembly is needed for the multi extrusion box as everything is already printed in place. However, some small assembly is required for the single extrusion box. You will need:

1 x Printed box

1 x Printed front, left and right tape models

Glue tabs into corresponding slots on the box.

Step 8: Final Assembly

This is very easy..

Use provided registers to fit and glue collar to cat head. Allow glue to dry before proceeding.

Use provided registers to fit and glue body to assembled cat head and collar.

Whilst there are registers in the box, to ensure positioning of the cat model, DO NOT glue the cat into the box unless you just want it as a figurine and do not plan to use it as a money bank.